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Mobile device use while driving more common in the U.S. than in several European countries

According to a CDC study, talking on the phone, texting, and reading email behind the wheel are reportedly more common behaviors in the United States than Europe.

69 percent of surveyed U.S. drivers ages 18-64 said that they had talked on their cell phone while driving within the 30 days before they were surveyed, compared with a low of 21 percent of drivers from the United Kingdom.

31 percent of drivers ages 18-64 in the United States reported that they had read or sent text messages or emails while driving, compared with a low of just 15 percent of drivers in Spain.

Distracted driving is a very dangerous behavior that increases the risk of a crash and crash-related injuries or death.

Everyone can make the decision to drive distraction-free. Learn more about distracted driving.

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Use of the cellphone while driving in order to send and receive text messages, or to navigate your route, raises the risk for an automobile accident dramatically, and is illegal in many states

Spokespersons

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH

“The cell phone can be a fatal distraction for those who use it while they drive. Driving and dialing or texting don’t mix. If you are driving, pull over to a safe place and stop before you use your cell phone.”

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH - Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Linda C. Degutis, DrPH, MSN

“Everyone, of every age and generation, has the ability to make a decision to drive distraction-free. It’s especially risky for young, inexperienced drivers—who are already extremely vulnerable to crashes—to be distracted when they are behind the wheel. Answering a call or reading a text is never worth a loss of life.”

Linda C. Degutis, DrPH, MSN - Director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

Rebecca Naumann, MSPH

“Using a mobile device behind the wheel—whether for talking, texting or emailing—has become relatively common, in both the United States and many European countries. But driving while distracted is a dangerous behavior and has been linked to thousands of deaths every year.”

Rebecca Naumann, MSPH -Epidemiologist at CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

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Author: Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDate: 3/22/2011I Pledge